Ministry has set a target to complete 2,500 track km
The Ministry of Railways has spent Rs.20,075 crore till Aug 2022 out of Rs.67,000 crore budgeted for New Line, Doubling, and Gauge Conversion in 2022-23.
Giving comparison on accelerated pace of work, the Ministry said it was given Rs.45,465 crores (BE) in 2021-22 while actual expenses till August 2021 was Rs.15,281 crores.
In an update on projects on 22 Sept 2022, the Ministry announced a target to complete 2,500 track km (TKM) of New Line, Doubling and Gauge Conversion for the current fiscal year.
It had achieved a target of 2,904 TKM in 2021-22, beyond the target of 2,400 TKM. It was the highest ever commissioning.
Various steps being taken by the Government for effective and speedy implementation of rail projects include:
(i) substantial increase in allocation of funds on priority projects
(ii) delegation of powers at field level
(iii) close monitoring of progress of project at various levels, and
(iv) regular follow-up with State Governments and concerned authorities for expeditious land acquisition, forestry and wildlife clearances and for resolving other issues pertaining to projects.
Projects related with Railway tracks have been given big push and as a result. During this Financial Year, till 21 September 2022, Railways has completed 1,353 TKM of New lines, Gauge conversion and multi tracking projects.
Another 150 TKM is likely to be added in this month (September 2022).
Combined the completed TKM is more than three times of 482 TKM completed till 30 Sept 2021.
During this Financial Year till date, 42 TKM of New Line, 28 TKM of Gauge Conversion and 1283 TKM of multi tracking has been completed.
However, during last financial year (till September 2021), only 4 TKM of Gauge conversion and 478 TKM of Multi tracking was achieved.
No progress in the new lines was achieved during corresponding period, said the Ministry.
Major sections commissioned are:
Doubling, multi tracking: Daund-Gulbarga (225 km) – Golden Quadrilateral route of Mumbai-Chennai, Vijayawada-Gudivada-Bhimavaram (221 km), Doubling – AP, Secunderabad-Mahbubnagar doubling (85 km) in Telangana.
Gauge conversion: Mansi-Saharsa-Purnea (169 km) – Bihar, Mavli-Badi Sadri (82 km) in Rajasthan.
New line: Bhadrachallam-Sattupalli (56 km) in Telangana. fiinews.com
